Justin Houston - Georgia (HT: 6-3 - WT: 258) Combine 40: N/A - Pro Day 40: N/A - Position Rank: 1 of 30
Positives: Excellent size and build to play outside in a 3-4 scheme, has good bulk and above-average strength for the position... Sack totals have been very impressive (21 career sacks, 11 in 2010)... Pretty good speed for his size... Monster in the weight room, power cleaned 420 pounds during workouts in 2009, is a workout warrior... Was named Butkus Award finalist for 2010 as one of nation's standout linebackers... Very humble and modest, feels the need to constantly improve and works hard to get better in every facet of the game, sets a good example as a leader for his teammates... Is very quick off the snap, times the count well and has an explosive first step off the line... Is fairly disciplined and plays with good instincts as both a five-technique end and an outside linebacker... Uses hands well when engaged with blockers, maintains balance and keeps play-side hand free on most occasions... Utilizes hefty frame and strong upper body when engaged with blockers, stays relatively low and will not get pushed away from running plays directly at him... Has the intangibles to be a big-time pass rusher and solid all-around player and leader in the NFL because of good motor and strong work ethic.
Negatives: Was suspended for the first two games of 2009 for violating team rules, but has since stayed out of trouble and handled the suspension well... Tends to give up on plays when across the field, has a good motor off the snap, but stops when play is too far away... Does not take very good angles in pursuit down field... Tends to tackle too high and does not drive through every tackle, but can afford to do so in traffic because he wraps up well and doesn't miss many tackles... Plays much more like a weakside defensive end on first and second down than he does a linebacker, can get too deep into the backfield and get out of position on plays up the middle of the line... Will never be very proficient in coverage, will be suitable to defend short routes in the NFL, but will likely be predominantly a pass rusher... Has only a year of experience as a 3-4 OLB, so 3-4 teams expecting to use him in that capacity will need to factor in a learning curve at the position.
Defense
Season
Team
TOT
SOL
AST
TFL
SK
FF
INT
BK
TD
Totals
124
74
50
38½
21
3
1
0
1
2008
Georgia
19
10
9
4½
2½
0
0
0
0
2009
Georgia
38
22
16
14½
7½
1
0
0
0
2010
Georgia
67
42
25
19½
11
2
1
0
1
(February 8, GBNReport.com) --
The official roster of players invited to this year's scouting combine, which takes place from
February 23 - March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. has been announced. Refer to the
tabs in the navigation bar for the combine participants by position. Overall, a total of 329 players
have been invited to this year's combine, two more than last year. Sideline Scouting will be posting complete
weigh-in and testing results daily.
